The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Study of the Texas Republican efforts at property tax reduction over the past 3 legislative session, from a not-friendly-to-Republicans source, shows tax reduction has generally been very successful statewide. Read it here: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/26/texas-property-tax-cuts-analysis/Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Harris County District Attorney Ogg infuriates Houston’s Democrat Party political machine by preserving justice in handing a key case to the Texas Attorney General’s office.More on the despicable pro-Hamas demonstrations at UT-Austin and elsewhere:UT president called DPS for helpCharges dropped by Dem judge and DA against most UT Austin protestersAssociated Press under fire for calling antisemitic anti-Israel demonstrations ‘anti-war’ protestsClueless Columbia student at NYU rally: ‘Why are we protesting?’Hamas Loses Its Grip: Gazans Speak Out against ItLubbock’s voter turnout is almost double any May election for 20 years. Conservatives must get out and vote. See my Lubbock voter recommendations here.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: State Rep. Carl Tepper (HD84) joins us to discuss a major story out today from ProPublica and the Texas Tribune which shows that school districts are not complying with the law that says local governments must post candidate campaign finance reports online. Of the 35 districts spot checked, NONE, were complying with the law and worse yet, it seems many candidates in local elections haven’t even been submitting campaign finance reports.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Press reports what many of us already knew: Wind, solar, and battery on the Texas ERCOT power grid could cause “immediate catastrophic grid failure.” This report is about the inverters these vendors use and how such systems have simply tripped off-line putting the entire grid in danger.More on the arrests and breaking up of the Anti-Israel, pro-Hamas demonstrations at UT Austin.Lynn County hospital district bond issue: A Pratt on Texas Listener Club member has provided me with the hospital’s latest audit which showed “material” and “significant” weaknesses in its accounting.See my Lubbock voter recommendations here.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: An elected Democrat County Court-at-Law judge in El Paso let go the 100+ rioting illegal aliens that tried to breach the border wall claiming there was no probable cause for their detention! Fortunately the El Paso district attorney immediately took the cases to a grand jury and that jury issued indictments against the invaders.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Texas named best state for business for a record-breaking 20th year – in a row!Texas wins over state and national Democrats at the Supreme Court over universal mail-in voting as the justices refused to take up the case for consideration.The filthy stench of “local government” is on full display in Granbury and Hood County in the Granbury ISD bond election.See my Lubbock voter recommendations here.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Lubbock faces a pro-marijuana use proposition (Prop. A) on the May 4th ballot. What of all the libertarian and other promises of the benefits of legal weed? Three words: Up in smoke. Read: Americans are watching legal weed’s promise go up in smoke.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.The Texas Supreme Court has issued a temporary block on Harris County’s lottery-style “guaranteed income” welfare scheme. The Attorney General is right about the unconstitutional nature of the program but many believe, and I’m one of them, that the same prohibition makes our “economic development programs” questionable too. There is nothing charitable about forced charity.See my Lubbock voter recommendations here.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Travis County’s far-left, Soros-backed, district attorney could be the first to face possible removal under last session’s HB17. And despite the Lefty DA claiming it’s all “MAGA Republican” partisanship, it turns out that the petitioner appears motivated by her experience with the DA’s office on a sexual assault case in which she was the victim.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Lubbock is facing a big mayoral election that will either further empower the tax and spenders and those who think their business deals more important than the property rights of working citizens or, will restore fiscal discipline and trust in fairness at City Hall.When combined with the pro-marijuana use proposition on the ballot, this election could be the pivot point of a generation in Lubbock sending the state’s largest strong Republican vote city into the abyss of urban Leftism. On the other hand, if voters install true conservative leadership at City Hall and reject, by a wide margin, the pot-prop the city could add years to its success in not falling down the urbanism slide to leftism.See my Lubbock voter recommendations here.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates. www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Lubbock is facing a big mayoral election that will either further empower the tax and spenders or, will restore discipline and trust at City Hall. I talk with candidate for mayor Mark McBrayer about the issues including why big money developers are working to elect his tax raising opponent.(By the way, McBrayer properly, in his own, requested air time the way all candidates must. No other Lubbock mayor candidate has wanted to appear on the show and some are even afraid to appear at local forums! I’m always amazed at people who run for office but are afraid to be questioned.)Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Texas sets more employment records, unemployment rate falls.Oil and gas rig count goes up by 2 this week in the Baker Hughes report.Two stories from the stench-of-local-government stack: Fort Worth cancels community center reservation for groups holding event discussing the dangers and tragedy of the transsexual movement. It’s a 100% viewpoint, speech content, move by Cowtown. City of Kerrville passes an ordinance requiring a government license to engage in electioneering – like block walking or passing out political material. On the face of it this is blatantly un-American!Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: A longer look at the unethical election for bond debt, with a huge tax increase, by the Lynn County hospital district. Lynn County citizen Jennifer Ritz joins us to express the frustration of many in the county that sits just south of Lubbock.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Judge issues TRO against City of Austin’s public comment restrictions.California to Texas: Largest state-to-state move in the US, Texas Realtor report says.Democrat Sues Tarrant County GOP for Place on Executive Committee. Another sign of the general lack of ethics and integrity of our society.Long-Lost First USS Enterprise Model Is Returned to ‘Star Trek’ Creator Gene Roddenberry’s SonListen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: A slew of court related items involving Texas dominate the news today and I provide commentary on all: Attorney General Ken Paxton Secures Unanimous SCOTUS Win on Texas Property Rights Case – ridiculous spin and I explain whyBoth sides claim victory after Supreme Court rules Texas rancher can sue state over flooded landsSupreme Court allows Winnie ranchers to sue Texas over floodingAppeals court blocks $100K daily fine against Texas in foster care suit Appeals court knocks down Texas school book-banning law – what a terribly biased and factually misleading headline!Adult entertainment industry [pornographers] asks Supreme Court to block Texas age-verification requirements for porn sitesOur Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.More comment on the current, inaugural, election for public members to Appraisal District Boards of Directors across Texas. Story shows how ignorant some legislators are: Houston voters to elect property tax board members for first time.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: The old fossil federal judge, Janis Jack, is at it again – thinking she can just mandate, fiat, that a giant government bureaucracy work the way she wants. Jack demonstrates much of what is wrong with liberal Democrats. Texas fined $100,000 daily in foster care abuse lawsuit.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.New likely voter polling out in Texas shows Trump with huge lead but Ted Cruz in a much tighter race.DeVillier wins at U.S. Supreme Court, can sue Texas for flood damage the state created.Lynn County’s hospital district engages in a setup election to pass a huge tax increase. Unethical and immoral – one polling place in the county and it’s at the hospital!New Braunfels ISD’s Staffing Decision Hints at a Larger Problem – what it reminds is that “temporary” government spending almost always become permanent government spending which translates into permanently higher taxes.Border related news:Report: Indiana National Guardsman Shot Migrant Stabbing Two Others at Texas BorderSinaloa Cartel Moving Fentanyl Labs Closer to Texas BorderTexas Gov. Abbott blasts Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over border crisis: ‘Bunch of lies’Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: State Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) was a paid consultant for a lobbyist group representing public schools while in office and serving on education committees. VanDeaver’s two-timing the taxpayer is an example of what is grossly wrong in Austin and hopefully voters will turn him out in the upcoming GOP primary runoffs.Also in the campaign stack of interest:SD30 runoff hopeful Hagenbuch recorded calling property tax elimination “ridiculous” and yet advocates of such have endorsed him – go figure!Dallas donors rally to protect Speaker Dade Phelan from anti-incumbent groundswellOur Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.The historic criminal trial of Trump in New York is itself criminal and a sign of the debasement of our nation. Turley points out: Prosecutor’s Case Against Trump Hinges On ‘Serial Perjurer’.The same type of lawfare used against Trump is being used in Texas by the State Bar Association.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: As if illegal immigration, in the millions now, isn’t enough of a problem and disservice to the American people, Texas Democrats want colleges and universities to hand out financial aid to children of illegals (which would include many illegals themselves.) What effrontery these Dems demonstrate!54 illegal alien sex offenders arrested this fiscal year in one Texas border sector alone! Note the comments of the Border Patrols source in the story about how many didn’t get arrested over the last three years.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick publishes interim charges to Senate committeesbeginning the shape of the next legislative session.More on the big changes to Texas appraisal district board of directors including the election of  3 representatives to sit on the board the governs appraisals in counties with 75,000 or more in population.Oil and gas rig count fell in Texas this week.1 dead after 18-wheeler driver intentionally crashes into Washington County DPS office in Brenham.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Senate Bill 2, from the 2nd Called Session of the 88th Legislature,  provides a new law that allows the public to elect 3 representatives to sit on the board the governs appraisals in counties with 75,000 or more in population. This election is coming fast and I’ll explain how it works.Also, spurring this bit of explanation and research, I interview Jon Bruegel who is running for Place 1 on the Lubbock County appraisal board.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.In the second half, as promised last week, I interview our friend Ross Aten to get a review of the three days of hearings last week held by the Texas House select committee on the recent Panhandle wildfires. There is interesting information that covers a wide array of issues.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: The Texas House Republican Caucus shows its members support their incumbent colleagues over voter trends – and that’s not surprising. However, Rep. Brian Harrison has it right overall in his pointing out the tone-deafness of it all.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Local sales tax receipts released from the Comptroller’s Office. Look up your city here.Three stories demonstrating just who Texas Democrats are these days:Democrat Congresswoman Tells Students The Moon Is Made Of GasTexas Dem suggests black people shouldn’t pay taxes as form of reparationsBorderland leaders urge expansion of work permits for illegal aliensThe Inflation Spike Biden Cannot Run From– want to bet? And media will help him as is done with Democrats all the time.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Votebeat broke one of the strangest stories I have read in a while last week that was then picked up by other Texas outlets. “Texas counties surprise surcharge from voter registration software vendor.”Counties should not be late on their payments but why did the firm not shakedown clients in other states too? And more importantly, why has is the Texas Secretary of State’s system been allowed to be so bad since an audit pointed out such way back in 2007?There is room for much criticism on this issue. The failed state system is making taxpayers pay twice for the same, or similar, service!Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Oil and gas rig count increased by 7 in Texas last week. And, the Railroad Commission reports that 2023 was another record-breaking year for Texas oil and gas production.Two Denton ISD elementary school principals indicted for illegal electioneering. About time!Some conservative Texas House legislators have proposed a new “Contract with Texas” and the Lefty Texas Tribune characterizes such as: “House Republicans issue demands for next Texas speaker.”Attorney General Paxton sues Harris County over its new “guaranteed income” welfare scheme.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Democrat Chuck Schumer is attempting to coerce by political intimidation federal courts in Texas to run court business has he and other liberals want. So far, the Northern District of Texas is ignoring the New York Leftist and it is to be commended. Since the FDR-era, the Leftists have tilted the playing field to their advantage by setting the rules for the operation of our institutions. We must fight back and citizens pay attention to such as these moves have huge effect.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Phelan Got $10k From Pro-LGBTQP Teacher PAC – he self-identifies as Speaker… for now. Opinion: The King is Dead. Long Live the King, But Not this Monarchy.Company skips Texas Panhandle wildfire hearings – of course they did! They are facing massive liability issues.Also I comment at length on this latest rehash: Joe Straus: Tim Dunn said only Christians should be in leadership.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Despite a media feeding frenzy, Texas did not “backtrack” or “reverse course” on SB4 in oral argument before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals today. No, in a Rush-style I-told-you-so, Texas’ solicitor general told the court that SB4 does exactly what I have been explaining that it does, and does not do, since it was being passed in the legislature. I explain fully today, with my regular frustration, at how lazy most have been on such a big subject – press and politicians. SB4 has never had a mechanism for actual deportation; the purpose of the bill is to get some of the issue before the Supreme Court to reconsider the horrible Arizona case, and; the DOJ is stretching the Arizona case precedent too.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Before renting our your property to strangers through AirB&B or others, you might want to consider your massive personal liability.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: While stripping Americans of their gun rights, the same “progressive” Leftist judges are arming illegal aliens! What could go wrong!?” That and other Second Amendment related stories:Biden Administration Launches New Gun-grabbing Scheme – Texas Scorecard Big win for NRA members in battle with Biden’s ATF – it pays to be a member!Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Texas bureaucrat want to build a very expensive state operated firefighting air force. There is no way such a program would be significantly more effective than the private sector and likely it would be a boondoggle of expenses. TDEM chief Nim Kidd sounds like just another gov’t bureaucrat using a “crisis” to spend more money and build government jobs.El Paso District Attorney sets the record straight about the local magistrate judge who released dangerous illegal aliens on Easter Sunday.Influential conservative PAC, Club for Growth, targets Phelan, other bad House Republicans incumbents involved in runoffs. It’s a good thing because Associated Republicans of Texas, ART, is no longer conservative and has gone all-incumbent, all-the-time.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliate. www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day:  Avian, or bird, flu is found in Texas. A dairy work has a case, it’s a mild illness, some dairy cows have it, and now poultry have it. The only area for panic is for the economic loss to dairies and poultry farms and that it might raise some prices but, don’t worry, the always reliable to push scare media is at work. I give a good example with a Politico story.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Texas’ economy again grows faster than the nation’s and the March sales tax report is a good one – note that Q1, 2024 is not very strong and lags inflation.Rick Perry’s slow destruction of his Texas political legacy and goodwill; Silliness in the Texas House GOP caucus, and; Abbott raises funds in NYC.An interesting one for the local grand jury: ‘I got something gangster for you’: Waco man accused of threatening ex with ‘AK-47′ style weapon because she was listening to rap musicListen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day:  An El Paso magistrate judge, on Easter Sunday, let the rioting illegal border crosser go free on personal recognizance bonds and blamed the local district attorney.  More.Also, one of our great historians points out that Mexico’s president has become an outright enemy of the United States and has no respect for Biden and his weak administration.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Federal Northern District of Texas will not adopt Judicial Conference guidance on judge-shopping. This is great news! For more, see the collection of stories here.Texas’ Third Court of Appeals upholds perverted ruling of Austin judge that the state cannot investigate, for child abuse, parents using pharmacology or medical procedures to attempt to change the sex of their child.Texas Ethics Commission, a.k.a. Clown Court or Unethical Commission, adopts rule to require reporting for paid posts to social media by so-called “influencers.”Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Reverend Daniel Hinton joins us to talk about Good Friday, Holy Week, and about worship using the liturgical calendar. Hinton is pastor for Christ Lutheran Church in Lubbock (an orthodox Missouri Synod Lutheran church.)Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com